College Football Report - There’s Rivalry in the Air

This weekend, more than 18 heated rivalries will take place throughout college football. To make things more passionate, some have National Title implications, and some, conference title implications on the line. From the Iron Bowl, to Clean, Old Fashioned Hate, I rank the weeks 10 best, plus one, rivalry matchups:

1.)

#2 Auburn (11-0)	Vs.	# 11 Alabama (9-2)
	Vs.

Ø Known as – The Iron Bowl

Ø Trophy – The Sportsmanship Trophy

Ø Last year – Alabama won – 26-21

Ø All-time Series – Alabama 40-33-1

Ø Streak – Alabama 2

This year, the Iron Bowl has added implications due to the fact that Auburn sits at No. 2 in the BCS rankings. If the Tigers win, they’re one game closer to a National Title berth. The Tide, however, have taken the last two after dropping six in a row.

2.)

#5 LSU (10-1)	Vs.	#12 Arkansas (9-2)
	Vs.

Ø Known as – The Battle For the Golden Boot

Ø Trophy – The Golden Boot

Ø Last year – LSU won – 33-30

Ø All-time Series – LSU 34-19-2

Ø Streak – LSU 1

One of the two teams is most likely going to be playing in a BCS Bowl. The Razorbacks feature one of the best offenses in the country, while the Tigers bring without a doubt one of the best defenses. Quarterback Ryan Mallet may be playing his last game at home, but he’ll need to be weary of LSU cornerback Patrick Peterson, who may be playing his last SEC game ever.

3.)

Michigan (7-4)	Vs.	#8 Ohio State (10-1)
	Vs.

Ø Known as – The Game

Ø Trophy – None

Ø Last year – OSU won – 21-10

Ø All-time Series – Mich. 57-43-6

Ø Streak – OSU 6

The Buckeyes have dominated the series between the hated state from the north over the last decade. Known simply as The Game, fans from both sides fuel the rivalry with their intense hatred towards one another, and their bordering states. Michigan has an opportunity this year to knock the Bucks from a Big Ten shared crown, but they’ll need to find a defense first.

4.)

West Virginia (7-3)	Vs.	Pittsburgh (6-4)
	Vs.

Ø Known as – The Backyard Brawl

Ø Trophy – None

Ø Last year – WVU won – 19-16

Ø All-time Series – Pitt 61-38-3

Ø Streak – WVU 1

This year, the Backyard Brawl gets a little feistier than it already is. The winner will go on to become the favorite to win the conference. The bordering states, and blue collar attitude of both programs, bring close matchups to every game, with the series tied 5-5 over the last 10 meetings. This year, the two teams will unveil their new Nike Pro Combat jerseys, made specifically for this game.

5.)

#17 Texas A&M (8-3)	Vs.	Texas (5-6)
	Vs.

Ø Known as – The Lone Star Showdown

Ø Trophy – Lone Star Trophy

Ø Last year – Texas won – 49-39

Ø All-time Series – Texas 75-36-5

Ø Streak – Texas 2

Nobody could have predicted what Texas would be fighting for at this point in the season. The Longhorns advanced to the Big 12 Championship, and later the National Championship last season following this game. This year, they’re just fighting to become bowl eligible. The Aggies have won five straight, and would love nothing more to end their regular season holding the Longhorns form a bowl

6.)

#13 Oklahoma (9-2)	Vs.	#9 Oklahoma St. (10-1)
	Vs.

Ø Known as – The Bedlam Series

Ø Trophy – Bedlam Bell

Ø Last year – Oklahoma won – 27-0

Ø All-time Series – Oklahoma 81-16-7

Ø Streak – Oklahoma 7

To say that the Sooners have dominated the Bedlam Series as of late is an understatement. This year, however, the game brings along implications of the Big 12 Championship. The winner will advance to the Big 12 title game, representing the Big 12 South division. The Sooners have won eight of the last 10, but the Cowboys bring along one of the most explosive offenses in the country. Future high draft choices lie everywhere, on both sides.

7.)

#10 Michigan St. (10-1)	Vs.	Penn State (7-4)
	Vs.

Ø Known as – The Battle of The Land Grants

Ø Trophy – Land Grant Trophy

Ø Last year – Penn State won – 42-14

Ø All-time Series – Penn State 13-4

Ø Streak – PSU 2

A relatively new rivalry, the Nittany Lions have owned the Spartans since the two began the series in 1993. This year’s game brings along larger things than pride, however. The Spartans have a chance to grab hold a share of, or the outright title of Big Ten Champions. The Nittany Lions are fighting for a better bowl berth and look to do so led by the hot arm of walk-on quarterback Matt McGloin.

8.)

Georgia Tech (6-5)	Vs.	Georgia (5-6)
	Vs.

Ø Known as – Clean, Old-Fashioned Hate

Ø Trophy – The Governors Cup

Ø Last year – Georgia won – 30-24

Ø All-time Series – Georgia 60-39-5

Ø Streak – UGA 1

Sitting at 5-6 on the year, the Georgia Bulldogs are fighting for much more than just the states bragging rights, they’re fighting to continue their season. The Ramblin Wreck of Georgia Tech is also fighting for a bowl, however already eligible at 6-5; last year’s ACC Champions are fighting for something more respectable.

9.)

#Mississippi St. (7-4)	Vs.	Mississippi (4-7)
	Vs.

Ø Known as – The Egg Bowl

Ø Trophy – Golden Egg Trophy

Ø Last year – Miss. State won – 41-27

Ø All-time Series – Ole Miss. 60-40-6

Ø Streak – Miss. State 1

The Egg Bowl is consistently one of college football’s most heated rivalries. In a state where football is king, the Egg Bowl holds supreme over every other game the two teams play. This year, the Rebels will be missing out on a bowl, but it would make their season to knock the Bulldogs down a peg. The Bulldogs stole a win at home last season, only their fourth of the decade.

10.)

#18 South Carolina (8-3)	Vs.	Clemson (6-5)
	Vs.

Ø Known as – The Battle of the Palmetto State

Ø Trophy – None

Ø Last year – South Carolina won – 31-28

Ø All-time Series – Clemson 63-37-4

Ø Streak – South Carolina 1

The Battle of the Palmetto State has been dominated by Clemson the last decade. The Tigers have taken eight of the last 10 meetings between the two. The Gamecocks ticket to the SEC title game, their first ever, is punched, but one last win against their heated rival would top the season off. The game features some of the best young tailbacks in the country in Marcus Lattimore of South Carolina, and Jamie Harper and Andre Ellington of Clemson.

And can’t forget...)

Florida (7-4)	Vs.	#22 Florida State (8-3)
	Vs.

Ø Known as – The Sunshine Showdown

Ø Trophy – None

Ø Last year – Florida won – 37-10

Ø All-time Series – Florida 33-19-2

Ø Streak – Florida 6

The upper hand over the last decade without a doubt goes to the Florida Gators. The upper hand this season goes to the Seminoles. The Noles have lost the last six in the series against Florida, but a struggling Gators team will travel to an FSU team that may be on their way to an ACC Championship season. The Gators are just fighting for a better bowl berth, than their current 7-4 record can provide.